Originally Posted by
UKtravelbear
I did say the OP still needed a metrocar for the air train!
You only mentioned that at Howard Beach, where there is no contactless for the subway OR the Airtrain (I haven't been through this station in ages, but are there separate fare gates for the AirTrain and Subway? Or is it consolidated because there's nowhere else to go from the subway?). But the OP doesn't even mention going to Howard Beach. You make no reference to needing a Metrocard to catch the Airtrain at Jamaica, but (misleadingly IMO) respond that "you can [use contactless] at Sutphin/Archer". That's only true for entry to the Subway, not for the Airtrain fare gates, so I thought I'd clarify.
In any event, at Howard Beach there is NO contactless for subway or Airtrain. At Jamaica there is contactless for subway, but NOT for Airtrain.
And yes the airtrain should be put onto contactless but this is New York where nothing is simple!
It's kind of mind-boggling I can't seem to find any information about when this might be planned. Given the huge lines of tourists at the metrocard vending machines by the Airtrain at Jamaica, you'd think this was a high priority. :shrug: